Washington, Oct 2 (DPA) US President Barack Obama departed late Thursday for Copenhagen to make a final pitch on behalf of his home town Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
Obama is slated to address the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ahead of its announcement Friday of the winning city. The four finalists are Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.
“He’s gonna make an appeal on behalf of all of America to showcase America to the world in 2016,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said before Obama’s departure.
Obama is due to arrive early Friday in Copenhagen to meet with the IOC. First Lady Michelle Obama, a native of Chicago, arrived earlier this week in Denmark to lobby for Chicago.
The secret ballot vote is expected to be close, though Rio de Janeiro and Chicago are believed to be the leading contenders.
rounak